Your Shields against Satan

By Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim (SG)

How to protect yourself from the whispers of Satan? How to repel his continuous attempts to ensnare you? How to guard your faith against his malicious tricks? Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim recommends the following 10 shields in your ceaseless war with Satan:

1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan. Allah the Most High says: And if an evil whisper from Shaitan (Satan) tries to turn you away (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (Fussilat 41:36)

2. Reciting the two surahs of Al-Falaq and An-Nas, as they have a wondrous effect in weakening Satan and protecting one from his evils. This is why the Messenger (peace be upon him) described them to be of incomparable effect when seeking refuge. (An-Nasa i, 5337).

3. Reciting Ayah Al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255).

4. Reciting Surah Al-Baqarah. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The house in which Al-Baqarah is recited is not approached by Satan (Muslim).

5. Reciting the final part of Al-Baqarah. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah will suffice whoever recites them at night (Muslim).

6. Reciting the first three verses of Surah Ghafir.

7. Saying la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shay in qadir (There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner, His is the dominion and praise, and He is able to do all things).

8. Among the most beneficial forms of protection from Satan is the abundant remembrance of Allah the Exalted.

9. Ablution and prayer, which are among the greatest means of protection, especially at the time of anger or desire.

10. Abstinence from excess speech, food, and mixing with people.

Finally it is important to note that the above supplications need to be uttered with full reflection and comprehension. The point here is that they are kinds of remembrance (dhikr), and to remember Allah is not a matter of lip-service. Rather it is a process that involves one's tongue, heart, and mind. How could one truly remember Allah while the mind is engaged with alien things?

Abridged from Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim's Bda i Al-Fawa id, here excerpted, in some modifications from islaam.co